My newest t-shirt arrived. No, it's not an Egyptian "ankh," nor a "chi-rho." It's called a "staurogram," formed by combining two letters of the word "cross/stauros" to depict a man on a cross — just as it is found in our earliest manuscripts of the Gospels. Okay, who wants one!? 😀
Just did a fun, mind-bending interview with Miroslav Volf in front of a live online audience of Undeceiver besties on the topic of ambition. I can’t wait for the wider public to hear Volf’s critique of our culture’s pursuit of superiority over others. His point is not merely that it’s proud or selfish — that would be boring — but that the pursuit of superiority actually diminishes us all, drawing us away from true excellence.
Now the Undeceptions team spends days and days shaping, editing, adding, and crafting this interview into a compelling audio documentary. Stay tuned for next season …
It’s here! Discover the story behind the oldest surviving Christian hymn ever found.
It’s been in cinemas around Australia, the US, and the UK. And now it’s in your lounge rooms.
THE FIRST HYMN is now available to watch at home.
Rent or Buy now on Amazon or Apple TV.
Link in bio.
The Nicene Creed, apart from being history’s only universally accepted summary of Christianity, is arguably the church’s most democratic instrument. It is where ordinary Christians get to remind their preachers and leaders to avoid hobby-horses and keep the main thing the main thing. When church leaders turn Christianity into self-help, the congregation answers: “I believe in one God, the Father Almighty.” When preachers neglect the Bible’s themes of judgment and the last things, the people declare: “he will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.” And when Christianity drifts into mere moralising, those in the pews recite a Creed in which 110 of its 175 words are devoted to the person and work of Jesus Christ, with 19 devoted to his Passion alone.
This is likely the earliest Christian symbol, exactly as it appears in the oldest manuscript of the Gospel of Luke (c. AD 200). It is a clever ligature — superimposing the Greek letters tau (Τ) and rho (Ρ) to depict a man hanging on a cross. Even better, the scribe formed this image within the Greek word for "cross" (ΣΤΑΥΡΟΣ, stauros) in the words of Jesus: "Whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:27). And, yes, this is my next T-shirt.
Hey, Wes Huff joins Undeceptions for a conversation about Joe Rogan, scepticism, our changing culture, and, of course, ancient paratextual scribal practices! What's not to like?? Link in bio.
Today (the Sunday after Easter) thousands of traditional churches around the world reflect on ‘Doubting Thomas’ and on Jesus’ provocative and often misunderstood statement to him. Here’s the text:
_______________
Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:28-29)
_______________
Some read Jesus as saying: “Shame on you, Thomas, for needing evidence—you should have blind faith.” But Jesus is not contrasting belief with evidence and belief without evidence. He’s distinguishing between belief based on direct personal observation and belief based on credible testimony.
The fact is: good testimony is an excellent basis of firm beliefs. We can’t do without trusting testimony.
Many legal judgments in court (except when there’s forensics) are based on witness testimony or expert authority, not empirical evidence. The same is true of history: we would know very little about the past if we relied only on archaeological remains; most of what we know comes through written testimony—letters, reports, and so on. This is even true of science: unless you happen to be a practising scientist, almost everything you know about science you got through the testimony of those you trusted to tell you the truth about science.
Most of what we know about history, law, science, geography, politics, art, daily news … we only ‘know’ through the testimony of someone we trust—a teacher, journalist, friend, scientist, and so on.
If it happened, Christ’s resurrection would be a historical event. Historical events, by definition, cannot be seen or touched. They are known by testimony. If the testimony is flimsy, we may dismiss it. If it is good—i.e., early, widespread, and credible—it is eminently reasonable to accept it.
What is not reasonable is deciding to believe only the things we can see and touch. That is not neutral. It’s a dogma.
“Blessed are those” who can trust good testimony!
The day between Good Friday and Easter Day is called “Easter Even.” It’s a moment to pause, take stock, and even “bury” our “corrupt affections.” Here we see the Prayer Book’s / Anglicanism’s rich inheritance from Augustine of Hippo (354–430), who taught that our deepest problem is not our behaviour but our affections/loves. We love too much what is less lovely, and too little what is most lovely. This is our world — and my life — in a nutshell.
Our Papyrus 46 (𝒫46) replica being shared by John Dickson with Andy Stanley at North Point.
Moments like this are a reminder of how the material history of Scripture continues to inform teaching and conversation today.
Grateful to see these manuscripts used in meaningful contexts.
@northpointcommunitychurch@andy_stanley@johnpauldickson
manuscriptshop.com
Find showtimes to see THE FIRST HYMN, a historically-astounding, faith-affirming documentary in theatres tonight only—link in bio!
Don’t miss acclaimed composers @christomlin & @ben_fielding reimagine the earliest known Christian hymn! Hosted by Australian historian @johnpauldickson , THE FIRST HYMN follows the song’s journey from its ancient origins to its modern revival.
#TheFirstHymn
The reviews are in for THE FIRST HYMN: “Great narration, great history, great music, and most of all, a great testimony of faith. A must-see!”
Tomorrow is your last opportunity to experience this powerful documentary in theatres! Let’s worship together in a new way—as one church.
Get tickets for tomorrow night—link in bio!
#TheFirstHymn
Tomorrow is your LAST CHANCE to see THE FIRST HYMN on the big screen!
Experience the journey of an ancient hymn that once united believers across cultures, borders, and generations—now revived into a powerful, modern-day worship anthem by @christomlin & @ben_fielding .
Don’t miss this opportunity to unite with the Church in discovery and worship!
Find showtimes for tomorrow night—link in bio!
#TheFirstHymn
